WORKSHOP ON QUALITATIVE ANALSYS OF RAPID ASSESSMENT DATA IN VIETNAM
Date: Venue: Host: Language: Training Faculty:
August 12-15, 2003 Horizon Hotel, Hanoi, Vietnam Ministry of Health and GAP-LIFE Vietnam English and Vietnamese with translation Robert Trotter, Rich Needle, Magda Ciocazan
BACKGROUND OF W ORKSHOP:
The Vietnam Ministry of Health (MOH) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have developed a plan to address programmatic and policy issues related to introducing and scaling up a comprehensive multi-component prevention program to prevent HIV transmission in injection drug users. To help develop a comprehensive HIV prevention plan, a major assessment activity initiated in 2003 to better understand and respond to epidemics of HIV in vulnerable populations was undertaken. Rapid situational assessments have been conducted in 14 provinces/cities. These provinces prepared excellent reports describing HIV trends and risks associated with HIV transmission among vulnerable populations. Data from these studies have been translated into recommendations for responding to the epidemic of HIV in drug using populations. This data will be presented in the October MOH/CDC symposium and workshop on Preventing HIV Transmission in Injection Drug Users; A Review of Evidence-Based Findings and Best Practices. Though these studies will be enormously helpful in sensitizing policy makers and informing programs, the reports can be strengthened by including more systematically analyzed qualitative data. Reviews of rapid assessment reports from the many countries where these methodologies have been used reveal that most documents do not include systematically analyzed qualitative data. Limited use of qualitative data may be attributed to a number of factors. These include limited fiscal resources, demands on time and the urgency of producing reports. Another factor is the limited experience of rapid assessment teams in the logic and analysis of qualitative data. This course is designed to enhance the skills of professionals carrying out rapid assessment studies.
PURPOSE OF W ORKSHOP:
The workshop is organized to help our colleagues plan recommendations for HIV policy and programmatic responses based on findings from the rapid assessment projects. Recommendations to be included in reports have to be based on findings, the findings based on analysis, which in turn is derived from the methodologies employed. The strengths and limitations of the methodologies and the implementation process have to be considered in the reporting of results. And the results have to be limited to data
obtained from the studies. The findings may be confirmatory and validating of earlier reports and/or they may represent “new” findings and this can only be determined in the context of the existing knowledge base. This workshop is designed to: (1) provide an overview of the analysis procedures for qualitative data collected through rapid assessment projects; (2) provide the workshop participants the opportunity to increase their understanding of, and practice with qualitative data analysis and reporting of findings and (3) develop a plan to revise RSA reports that includes sections based on analysis of qualitative data.
OBJECTIVES OF W ORKSHOP:
1 To describe the type of data generated by core qualitative methods of rapid assessment and their purpose. To characterize the strengths and weaknesses of different qualitative methods and explain procedures for using them 2 To gain experience in qualitative data management and analysis of qualitative and qualitative-quantitative data 3 To understand how data findings are translated into feasible action plans for implementing recommendations for effective interventions that have a high probability of being adopted and successfully carried out and sustained at the local level 4 To become familiar with computer programs designed to manage qualitative data sets 5 To create a plan to supplement or complete the analysis of existing data sets for the RSA reports 6 To identify steps needed in the process of revising the RSA reports 7 To apply the knowledge from the training in revising the RSA reports
STRUCTURE OF W ORKSHOP:
This is a four-day workshop. Throughout the workshop there will be a mix of presentations, exercises and small group discussions which aim to create an understanding of the background and methods of qualitative analysis and how these are applied to the Vietnam rapid assessment data. The workshop will include a brief review of the RSAs, a justification for the use of qualitative data, learning to analyze qualitative data and where to include it in the report, an understanding of how recommendations can be updated and finally, how to write research on qualitative data. The activities will use existing interview and focus group discussion data already collected by participants, to illustrate key concepts in terms of planning and carrying out analysis. The topics by day are listed below.
DAY 1: DAY 2: DAY 3: DAY 4:
Overview of Rapid Assessment, Qualitative Analysis and Review of Vietnam Data Introduction and Exercises on Basic Qualitative Analysis Analysis Exercises, Discussions (Data Management, Coding, Analysis) Analysis Reports, Special Analysis, Transforming Analysis into Recommendations
PARTICIPANTS:
1 Twenty-three primary investigators from the fourteen provincial sites 2 Lecturers and medical doctors from Military Medical Academy, Medical University and the National AIDS Standing Bureau 3 Most participants do not have previous qualitative data analysis training
EXPECTED OUTCOMES:
1 Understand the logic, process and application of qualitative data analysis 2 Create a plan for analyzing qualitative data previously collected by participants using the RARE method, including specific methods and steps 3 Create a plan to revise RSA reports to include the analysis of qualitative data. Plan will consist of a timeline for completed reports and strategy for disseminating reports
PRODUCTS:
1 2 3 4 A plan for analysis A coding scheme An analysis scheme Prepare an outline for a publication
(AGENDA on Next Page) AGENDA:
Workshop on Qualitative Analysis of Rapid Assessment Data Hanoi, Vietnam – August 12-15, 2003
Time Topic Objective DAY 1 - Tuesday, August 12 Review of Vietnam Data and Overview of Rapid Assessment and Qualitative Analysis Presenter/ Facilitator
Welcome / Introductions 8:00 Overview of RA in Vietnam Overview of RSA Reports in Vietnam
To introduce trainers and participants to each other To provide a summary of the rapid assessment work done To provide a synopsis of the RSA Reports content and expectations
Dr. Mary Kamb; Dr. Tran Hien; Dr. Rich Needle; Dr. Robert Trotter; Ms. Magda Ciocazan
8:45
Dr. Hien
9:30 10:15
Dr. Needle
BREAK
Brief Overview of Rapid Assessment Issues and Methods To provide a common framework for the training, a brief review of rapid assessment, to discuss goals and uses of rapid assessment; provide background about qualitative data collection, types of data, strengths and limitations
10:30
Dr. Trotter
12:00
Review of Vietnam protocols and Data Collection 13:30 14:15
LUNCH
To provide a working paper that will be used throughout the training which emphasizes the application of the training to the RSA's. To discuss the issue of building consensus around priorities in analysis.
Dr. Trotter
BREAK
To initiate a discussion on the purpose of each interview. This will provide guidance when analysis consensus and goals are discussed
14:30 16:00
Dr. Trotter
BREAK
To facilitate a discussion on the importance of analyzing data as a whole data set. This discussion will help differentiate between individual interviews and whole data sets. It will also guide the development of general reports, rather than individual interview reports END OF DAY 1
16:15 17:15
Dr. Trotter
DAY 2 - Wednesday, August 13 Introduction, Exercises on Basic Qualitative Analysis
Overview and Review of Methodological and Analytical Components 8:30
To provide a step by step overview of the data collection and analysis process, which are merged in qualitative research
Dr. Trotter
9:15
BREAK
To discuss common themes that could be explored in the Vietnam data
9:30
Dr. Needle
10:15
BREAK
To provide specific examples about types of data (i.e.: focus group, Key informant interview). To provide a concrete example of how data is transformed into analysis categories and codes
10:30
Dr. Trotter
11:45
The Processes of Data Analysis: Analysis begins with a question 13:30
LUNCH
To facilitate a discussion on a chosen topic about the similarities and differences in the data collected from different groups. Examples: What did the groups say that was the same? What did the groups say that was not said by the other In order to understand the overall process of analysis and reporting, this session will provide a step-by-step outline for summarizing the data from a set of interviews
Dr. Trotter
Dr. Trotter
14:30
Analysis Step 1: Coding 14:45 17:15 END OF DAY 2
BREAK
To discuss the differences between qualitative and quantitative coding, and the process of creating qualitative codes for data retrieval and analysis.
Dr. Trotter
Time
Topic
Objective DAY 3 - Thursday, August 14
Presenter/ Facilitator
Analysis Exercises, Discussions (Data Management, Coding, Analysis)
Review homework 8:00 To make an association between the lessons learned in the previous discussions. To discuss specific data sets and think of common analysis themes that would stretch across several different interview and observation opportunities. Dr. Trotter Review homework on coding
Data Analysis: Processes, Priorities, Coding 8:30
10:00
Data Analysis Strategies and Processes 10:15
BREAK
To develop an understanding of services and coverage and exercise thinking about interventions Dr. Trotter
11:45
Creating Analysis Reports 13:30
LUNCH
To reinforce the need for a common outline for analysis across sites Dr. Trotter To discuss how discrepancies in data may occur and how to manage them
14:30
Dr. Trotter
15:30
BREAK
Participants will apply knowledge gained through examples they provide.
15:45 To use the knowledge gained during the workshop and guide participants through a step by step process of coding and managing data for a data analysis END OF DAY 3
Dr. Trotter
14:45 17:45
Dr. Trotter
17:45
DINNER
19:30
OPTIONAL TRAINING: Computer Assistance for Data Analysis: AnSWR
To introduce participants to AnSWR, the analysis software. (Note: this contains an introduction only and not a software training)
Dr. Trotter
Time
Topic
Objective DAY 4 - Friday, August 15
Presenter/ Facilitator
Analysis Reports, Special Analysis, Transforming Analysis into Recommendations
Incorporating Qualitative Data Into Final Reports and Recommendations 8:30 To create a plan to revise RSA reports to include the analysis of qualitative data. Plan will consist of a timeline for completed reports and strategy for disseminating reports To provide a guideline to use when writing SMART Recommendations Ms. Ciocazan
Dr. Needle
9:30
Turning Data into RecommendationsLinking Data and Conclusions
BREAK
To provide a step-by-step procedure of transforming findings into recommendations Dr. Needle
9:45
11:00
Next Steps: Group discussion; Analysis Plan for collected data
LUNCH
13:00
Dr. Needle/Dr. Trotter
14:30
Review and Discussion, Question and Answer on Analysis Strategies END OF TRAINING Closing Remarks
BREAK
14:45 16:00
Dr. Needle/Dr. Trotter Dr. Kamb / MOH